Telefonica has partnered with Nova Labs to deploy helium-powered 5G hotspots in Mexico City and Oaxaca. The companies announced this development on Wednesday as part of efforts to expand Telefonica’s network coverage in the country through innovative and cost-effective solutions.
The Helium network is powered by the Solana blockchain. Hotspot operators earn tokens on the Solana-based network as an incentive to provide connectivity through decentralized nodes.
Helium hotspots enable Telefonica to offload data traffic from traditional cellular networks to the Helium 5G network. Customers connect to the hotspot using their existing Telefonica SIM card, and a proprietary management system controls access and monitors the hotspot’s status.
Helium Mobile is a wireless service created by Nova Labs, a startup founded by the creators of the decentralized Helium network.
Helium Mobile leverages T-Mobile’s 5G network for coverage across the United States, making it the first major carrier to deploy Helium hotspots. Telefonica serves his over 383 million mobile and broadband customers in Europe and Latin America.
“This program in Mexico is critical in evaluating the performance and customer satisfaction of this solution, as well as the associated costs,” said Jose Juan Haro, Chief Wholesale and Public Relations Officer at Telefónica. “If successful, our hope is to incorporate this into our portfolio of mobile networks across the region.”
Nova Labs claims that its community-based model significantly reduces infrastructure costs compared to traditional cell towers. The companies say compact hotspots powered by Solana can expand coverage.
Chuck Cook, CEO of Nova Labs, said: “This collective approach represents an evolution in how carriers deploy resilient, high-quality connectivity.”
Telefonica’s deployment marks an important milestone in expanding the Helium network across Latin America and expanding the overall decentralized 5G network.
See also: Dell’Oro predicts RAN market slump will continue
Want to learn more about blockchain from industry leaders? Check out blockchain expos in Amsterdam, California, and London. This comprehensive event coincides with Digital Transformation Week.
Learn about other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars from TechForge here.
